Finland is preparing for a major overhaul of its official communication system starting in early 2026. Approximately two million citizens will receive digital mailboxes for government correspondence in what represents one of the most significant digital transitions in Finnish public administration.
The change will affect everyone who interacts with government services online. Paper letters from authorities will gradually be replaced by electronic messages through the Suomi.fi Messages service.
Maija Hiitola, a special expert at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, explains how the transition will work in practice. The Suomi.fi Messages service will activate automatically when users log into any government digital service for the first time after January 12, 2026. This includes platforms like OmaVero for tax matters, OmaKela for social security, and municipal service portals.
The activation process happens during identification. Users receive clear guidance about the service and are asked to provide an email address for notifications about new messages in their Suomi.fi mailbox. The service won't activate without user awareness. For those already using Suomi.fi Messages, nothing changes.
What kind of communications will arrive digitally? Citizens can expect notifications about voting rights, tax decision announcements, official decisions, and public notices. The service may also handle bills and appointment reminders.
Why can't these important messages come through regular email? Security concerns drive the separate system. Standard email represents a relatively insecure tool for handling sensitive matters. Personal information and confidential data shouldn't travel through regular email channels.
Anyone can send anything to regular email addresses, including viruses and phishing attempts. Suomi.fi Messages provides a secure communication channel where only authorities and organizations with legally mandated tasks can send messages. Opening attachments and clicking links within Suomi.fi Messages remains always safe.
Not everyone will transition to digital communication. People who don't use digital services will continue receiving paper mail. The change doesn't apply to minors, individuals under guardianship, or persons without Finnish personal identity codes or strong authentication methods.
Even users of Suomi.fi Messages can opt to return to paper mail through service settings or by contacting customer service. This choice becomes available only after the service activates, not in advance. The paper mail preference remains valid for six-month periods. If users re-authenticate in government services after six months, Suomi.fi Messages reactivates automatically.
Many people handle affairs for family members or others. When using personal credentials to act on someone else's behalf in government services, Suomi.fi Messages activates only for the person doing the transaction, not for the individual they're assisting. Reading another person's official messages requires authorization through Suomi.fi mandates.
Using another person's bank credentials for government transactions isn't permitted. Acting on behalf of others requires tools like electronic power of attorney.
After a person's death, their digital mailbox closes automatically. Heirs currently cannot access the deceased's mailbox or old messages in Suomi.fi Messages. New messages automatically redirect to paper mail.
The transition phase presents a mixed situation. Not all authorities currently use Suomi.fi Messages. Organizations may still send letters through paper mail or other channels. Each organization's service information explains available communication methods.
The ultimate goal involves promoting consistent practices. During 2026, changes will advance that might allow citizens to choose other digital mail services as their message reception point. Such services must meet established criteria and pass audit processes, making it too early to identify which providers might qualify.
Digital channels already represent the most popular way to interact with public administration. Yet official decisions still arrive through paper mail unless individuals specifically consent to electronic notification.
The change aims to ensure that citizens who already handle matters digitally receive official mail primarily through digital channels. The transition promises annual savings of tens of millions of euros for society. Citizens benefit through faster communication and having all messages available in one place anytime.
This digital transformation reflects Finland's ongoing commitment to efficient public services. The country has consistently ranked among digital frontrunners in Europe, and this move aligns with broader trends toward paperless administration. The careful implementation with opt-out options shows understanding that digital transitions must accommodate all citizens, not just the technologically comfortable.
Service information and usage instructions appear at suomi.fi/viestit. Telephone customer service provides guidance on weekdays from 9 AM to 3 PM at 0295 000.